Reclosable packaging with a film and a lid comprising a plug section

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a reclosable packaging with a packaging body ( 12 ), with an edge component ( 14 ) surrounding a packaging opening ( 16 ) and which is irremovably connected to the packaging body ( 12 ), and also with a lid ( 20 ) which is held on the edge component ( 14 ) and closes the packaging opening ( 16 ), wherein the packaging body ( 12 ) is substantially formed by a flexible packaging body film ( 13 ) at least in one section ( 12   a ) accommodating the edge component ( 14 ), wherein the lid ( 20 ) is connected to the edge component ( 14 ) by means of a first detachable connection in the form of an adhesive bond or seal in the initially closed packaging state, and in a reclosed packaging state after a first opening is connected to the edge component ( 14 ) by means of a second detachable and restorable connection formed separately from the first connection. According to the invention the lid ( 20 ) comprises a plug section ( 20   a ) that penetrates the packaging opening ( 16 ) in the reclosed packaging state and a flexible lid film ( 22 ) irremovably connected to the plug section ( 20   a ), a joining section ( 22   d ) of the flexible lid film being connected to the edge component ( 14 ) with the formation of the first detachable connection in the initially closed packaging state, and the plug section ( 20   a ) forms the second detachable connection with the edge component ( 14 ) in the reclosed packaging state.

The present invention relates to a reclosable packaging, with apackaging body, with an edge component surrounding a packaging openingand which is irremovably connected to the packaging body, and also witha lid which is held on the edge component and closes the packagingopening, wherein the packaging body is substantially formed by aflexible packaging body film at least in one section accommodating theedge component, wherein the lid is connected to the edge component bymeans of a first detachable connection in the form of an adhesive bondor seal in the initially closed packaging state, and in a reclosedpackaging state after a first opening is connected to the edge componentby means of a second detachable and restorable connection that is formedseparately from the first connection.

Such a packaging is known on the market for example for coffee pads.This packaging is formed almost completely of flexible plastics film,more specifically a plastics film laminate.

The lid of this packaging is formed as a dimensionally stable componentof thermoplastic material.

In order to stiffen that section of the package that is to accommodatethe lid, an annular dimensionally stable edge component likewise made ofthermoplastic material is sealed onto the film laminate of the packagingbody under a pressure and temperature chosen so that the dimensionallystable edge component is, when the packaging is correctly used,irremovably connected to the packaging body film.

The lid in turn is inserted with a plug section into the packagingopening defined by the edge component and is held there by clamping as aresult of material elasticities and friction.

In an initially closed packaging, i.e. a packaging that has been filledand closed but has not yet been opened by a user, the lid isadditionally sealed onto the edge component by an ultrasound weldingmethod so as to produce a high closure quality and ensure closurereliability.

A disadvantage of the known reclosable packaging is its difficultprocessability during its manufacture.

For example, on the one hand the strength of the seal between the lidand edge component can be reproduced only with difficulty, which in somecases can lead to initially closed packagings in which the strength ofthe seal between the edge component and lid is greater than the materialstrength of the lid itself. As a result it may undesirably happen thatthe lid is destroyed when opening the packaging, while lid sectionsstill remain stuck to the edge component.

In addition problems also arise with the irremovable sealing of the edgecomponent to the packaging body film, in which the packaging body filmcan be damaged by the sealing tool specifically on the outwardly facingpresentation surface of the packaging body.

For example, a localised sticking of the packaging body film to thesealing tool may occur, whereby when the sealing tool is lifted awayfrom the packaging body film after completion of sealing, threads arewithdrawn from the film. As a result deposits of material can form onthe sealing tool, which during subsequent sealing operations canundesirably be transferred to subsequent packagings. This forming ofthreads can be counteracted by altering the sealing parameters, whichhowever can lead during the sealing to leaks between the packaging bodyand the separately formed dimensionally stable edge component.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a reclosablepackaging of the type mentioned at the outset, in which theaforementioned problems are minimised or even completely avoided.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a genericreclosable packaging, in which the lid comprises a plug section thatpenetrates the packaging opening in the reclosed packaging state as wellas a flexible lid film that is irremovably connected to the plugsection, a joining section of the flexible lid film being connected tothe edge component with the formation of the first detachable connectionin the initially closed packaging state, and the plug section forms thesecond detachable connection with the edge component in the reclosedpackaging state.

The reclosability of the packaging is ensured by the plug section of thelid. For this purpose the plug section is simply pressed into thepackaging opening.

The lid film irremovably connected to the plug section permits theformation of the first detachable connection of the lid to the edgecomponent by bonding and/or sealing the joining section of the lid filmto the edge component. On account of the high process reliability theirremovable connection of the lid film and plug section is also formedby bonding and/or irremovable sealing.

The plug section, which in the solution employed in the prior art wasfrequently destroyed together with the whole lid, i.e. was torn, whenthe adhesive forces of the first detachable connection were higher thanthe material strength of the lid, remains intact in the solutionaccording to the invention proposed here, when the lid, which ispreferably peelably bonded and/or sealed to the edge component by meansof the lid film, is ripped open.

Even if the lid film were destroyed in the first opening of thepackaging, the plug section still remains as a preferably one-piececomponent, in particular of injection-moulded or thermoformed plasticsmaterial, as a result of which the packaging can be reliably reclosed.

As a rule the lid in the initially closed packaging state isadditionally held to the first connection also by the second connectionon the remaining packaging. This is however not absolutely necessary.

The term “film” in the context of this application applies to filmshaving a film or laminate thickness of up to 250 μm.

A strict distinction is made between films within the meaning of thepresent invention and so-called rigid or dimensionally stable plastics,which although they are elastically deformable under the action of aforce are nevertheless as a whole dimensionally stable.

In principle it can be envisaged for the edge component to be formed inone piece with the packaging body. However, the edge component ispreferably a separately formed component.

A specifically peelable first connection between the lid film and theedge component can be achieved if the edge component is formed from aflexible edge component film, which is irremovably connected to thepackaging body film in the region of the packaging opening and which isconnected to the lid film by peelable bonding and/or sealing, to formthe first detachable connection.

Since the edge component, just like at least the section of thepackaging body carrying the edge component is produced from a film, anirremovable connection of the edge component to the packaging body filmcan be achieved, just like the first detachable connection, virtuallywithout any problem, in particular by sealing, if the packaging is usedcorrectly. Specifically the connection of two films to one another bysealing is known in packaging technology and is a proven technique.

In addition the use of an edge component formed of edge component filmis substantially cheaper than the use of the dimensionally stablethermoplastic edge component known from the prior art.

It has surprisingly been found that also by using a film-like edgecomponent instead of the hitherto used dimensionally stable edgecomponent together with the packaging body film, a sufficientlydimensionally stable packaging body section can be formed for definingthe packaging opening and for accommodating the lid. This was also notto be expected by the use of basically only dimensionally unstablestarting components.

When furthermore the present application discusses the strengths andload-carrying capacities of connections, such as for example adetachable or an irremovable connection, this always refers to thestrength, load-carrying capacity or (non-)detachability provided thepackaging is properly used.

A cold-bonding adhesive, i.e. one which bonds at ambient temperature, oralternatively a hot-sealing lacquer, can be used as adhesive forproducing a detachable connection of the lid film to the edge component.

Preferably the lid film is however sealed to the edge component, i.esurface regions of the edge component and lid film that in the initiallyclosed packaging state are arranged adjacent to one another, are melted,and are then sealed to one another by applying pressure. With a suitablechoice of material and choice of sealing parameters such as temperature,pressure and time, the lid can be peeled off from the edge component,similar to the case of tear-off packagings for yoghurt, cottage cheeseand the like. Such a connection is also termed a “peelable” connectionin the art.

If in order to ensure a particularly high closure quality the lid in theinitially closed packaging state is joined by two detachable connectionsto the edge component, namely to the first detachable connection betweenthe lid film and the edge component and to the second detachable andrestorable connection between the edge component and plug section,whereas in the reclosed packaging state the first detachable connectionis not relevant, then in order to open the still initially closedpackaging a higher opening force is required than to open the simplyreclosed packaging.

If the edge component, in particular as film component, has a first edgecomponent section that is directly irremovably connected to thepackaging body film, and has a second edge component section that isonly indirectly connected via the first edge component section to thepackaging body film, the edge component can on the one hand be securelyirremovably connected to the packaging body film and can just asreliably provide a section to which the lid can be detachably connected.

Preferably the second edge component section, not directly connected tothe packaging body film, stands proud of the packaging body film. Inthis way, especially if the edge component is formed from the edgecomponent film, on the one hand the stiffness and stability of thepackaging can be significantly increased in a very simple anduncomplicated manner in the region immediately around the packagingopening, in which the packaging body with the edge component issubstantially formed only from film material.

On the other hand, with the second edge component section standing proudof the packaging body film a sufficient joining area for the connectionto the lid, more specifically to the lid film, can be provided also withotherwise very slender packagings.

In principle it may be envisaged to connect the plug section, if made ofa suitable material as an injection-moulded component or thermoformedcomponent of thermoplastic material, directly to the lid film,particularly preferably again by thermal sealing. Surprisingly it hasbeen found however that the plug section too can be formed, at least inportions, preferably completely, from a plug section film.

Especially if the edge component is connected with a first edgecomponent section to the packaging body film, whereas a second edgecomponent section stands proud of the packaging body film, the lid withthe lid film and plug section can be arranged lowered with respect to anenvelope of the overall packaging if a packaging body section connectedto the first edge component section projects in the initially closedpackaging beyond the lid section protruding outwardly over the edgecomponent, in the protrusion direction. As a result there is lesspossibility of an unintended and uncontrolled external force acting onthe lid, in particular on the plug section, for example duringtransportation of the packaging.

In order to safeguard the lid and also to provide sufficient dimensionalstability in the region of the packaging adjacent to the packagingopening, the first and second edge component sections enclose at leastin sections, preferably along their whole extent, an angle, preferably aright angle. Likewise, the second edge component section advantageouslyencloses at least in sections, preferably along the whole extent of theedge component, an angle, preferably a right angle, with the packagingbody.

The edge component is advantageously formed as a closed ring, whoseradially inner edge forms a boundary of the packaging opening. In thiscase the term “extent” in the previous paragraph denotes thecircumferential length.

This ring is preferably circular, though this need not be the case. Theedge component can likewise have an oval (elliptical) shape or apolygonal shape or a combination of round and polygonal shapes.

In this case a radially outer section of the annular edge component canpreferably be the first edge component section, while a radially innersection of the edge component is the second edge component section.

For the best possible connection of the edge component to the packagingbody film the first edge component section in the case of a surroundingedge component is likewise surrounding.

For the best possible screening of the packaging volume enclosed by thepackaging against external environmental influences that could promotespoiling of the packaged contents, it may be envisaged that at least onefilm out of the packaging body film, the lid film, the edge componentfilm and the plug section film is a laminate comprising at least twofilm layers, one of which forms a barrier layer.

Barrier layers are known per se in the prior art. Suitable barrierlayers include for example EVOH, SiO_(x), AlO_(x) and the like.

In order to screen the packaged goods not only against gases, such asoxygen and hydrogen, but also to exclude any action of UV radiation, thebarrier layer is preferably a metal layer, particularly preferably ametallised layer. In this connection aluminium has proved particularlysuitable as material for an absolute barrier.

The metal layer can be joined via intermediate bonding layers toadjacent layers of the laminate.

The packaging body film and the edge component film, and particularlypreferably also the lid film, are preferably provided with a barrierlayer. In order to ensure as good a barrier effect as possible, the plugsection film can also comprise a barrier layer.

For the simplest possible connection of the films to one another it mayalternatively or additionally be envisaged that at least one film fromthe packaging body film, the lid film, the edge component film and theplug section film is a laminate comprising at least two film layers, atleast one of which is an outer layer, preferably both are outer layers,formed from a sealable thermoplastic material.

Particularly preferably all four films involved in the packagingdescribed here are provided in each case with two outer-lying layers ofsealable thermoplastic material.

Since the edge component film as well as the lid film should in eachcase engage in an irremovable connection and a detachable connection, ina preferred embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that at least inthe case of the edge component film or the lid film, preferably bothfilms, but particularly preferably also the plug section film, an outerlayer of a sealable thermoplastic material is suitable for formingirremovable connections. Such a plastic is for example polypropylene(PP). Furthermore, it is also envisaged that the in each case otherouter layer is formed from a sealable thermoplastic material for theformation of a detachable connection, in particular a peelableconnection. Such a plastic material is for example orientedpolypropylene (OPP) or PP-peel.

A further important feature of packagings is their printability. Inorder to ensure that the reclosable packaging can be printed with userinformation and the like, it may be envisaged that at least one filmfrom the packaging body film, the lid film, the edge component film andthe plug section film is a laminate of at least two film layers, atleast one of which is a layer capable of receiving printing inks. Forthis purpose there may be provided in particular a layer of a polyester,in particular of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PET layer canalso be provided in order to increase the laminate stiffness.

Alternatively or in addition the outer layer too, in particular the OPPouter layer, can to protect the colour application be printed by acounter-printing method, or without any special protection, simply byusing an imprinting method.

The compatibility of the packaging body film and/or edge component filmand/or lid film and/or plug section film as well as their materialproperties can then be adjusted to be substantially similar or evenidentical, if the aforementioned films comprise substantially identicallayers.

Particularly preferably they comprise the same layer structure, i.e.layers of the same material are arranged in the same order in thelaminate.

For reasons of cost, the packaging body film, the lid film, the edgecomponent film and the plug section film are particularly preferablysubstantially identical. In this case one film can be used to form theedge component and also the packaging body adjacent to the packagingopening.

In order to achieve the best possible barrier property of the packaging,it may be envisaged that the lid film spans the plug section. Owing tothe fact that the lid film spans the plug section, i.e. surrounds thissection looking outwardly from the interior of the packaging, the lidfilm in the initially closed state and with a suitable choice of filmprovides a suitable barrier, in particular absolute barrier, againstgases and/or light, so that the plug section can be produced from aninexpensive material without barrier properties.

Owing to the fact that the lid film spans the plug section, the wholelid surface can also be printed if the lid film is provided with theaforementioned properties ensuring printability. For the reliableattachment of the lid film to the edge component it may be envisagedthat the lid film in its plane of extension has, in at least one spatialdirection, a larger dimension than the plug section. This meanstherefore that the lid film in at least one of its flat extensiondirections projects beyond the plug section, so that the lid film,especially if the edge component comprises the aforementioned edgecomponent film, can be detachably joined in a very simple and reliablemanner to the edge component.

Preferably the lid film has in its plane of extension in at least twomutually orthogonal spatial directions larger dimensions than the plugsection, which permits a more reliable joining of the lid film to theedge component.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the presentinvention it is envisaged that the plug section extends along alongitudinal axis and the lid film surrounds the plug section radiallyoutwardly referred to the longitudinal axis. The plug section in factoften has a cylindrical or similar shape, i.e. it has an outside surface(jacket or cover surface) along which it abuts at one edge of thepackaging opening and thereby closes the said packaging opening. Thisoutside surface extends in the axial direction, in order to impart tothe plug section the necessary axial expansion so that the section canbe inserted into the packaging opening.

If the lid film surrounds the plug section radially outwardly, the plugsection in the initially closed packaging can be completely surroundedby film, so that a packaging can be obtained that at least in thepackaging opening section is completely printable and/or is providedwith a barrier over the whole surface.

The plug section is then as it were packaged by the films externallysurrounding it: the packaging body film, lid film and possibly edgecomponent film. Therefore it does not necessarily depend on the barrierand printing properties of the plug section.

As regards the reclosability of the packaging, it may be envisaged thatthe plug section abuts against a radially inner edge of the edgecomponent when the packaging opening is closed by the lid.

As already mentioned, the lid can be joined in a particularly simplemanner to the remaining packaging if the joining section of the lid filmsurrounds radially outwardly the plug section of the lid. Then inparticular the joining section can abut against a two-dimensionalsection of the edge component, while the plug section abuts against theradially inner edge of the edge component and thus penetrates thepackaging opening defined by the radially inner edge of the edgecomponent.

Especially in the reclosed packaging state the lid can close thepackaging opening reliably and sufficiently firmly if the plug sectionis held by a material-elastic clamping action and the thereby exertedfriction by the edge component.

Such a material-elastic clamping action can be obtained for example ifthe edge component forms an edge of the packaging opening, thedimensions of the plug section being larger than the associateddimensions of the packaging opening.

Associated “dimensions” are in this connection the dimensions of thosesections of the edge component (for defining the packaging opening) andplug section which, when the packaging is correctly reclosed, mutuallyengage via a bearing surface.

In the case of a plug section of circular cross-section and a packagingopening of circular cross-section, the associated dimensions are therespective diameters of the plug section and packaging opening.

In the case of elliptical cross-sections of the plug section andpackaging opening, the two minor semi-axes and the two major semi-axesof the respective elliptical cross-sections for example are associatedwith one another.

In order to form the aforementioned outside surface the plug section canadvantageously comprise an outside section that extends at apredetermined angle away from the lid film. Preferably the outsidesection extends at a right angle away from the lid film or at least insections is slightly conical, i.e. tapers in the direction away from thelid film, in order to facilitate an insertion of the outside sectioninto the packaging opening so that the outside surface can bear againstthe radially inner edge of the packaging opening.

In order to ensure as reliable and tight a bearing as possible of theplug section on the outside surface of the outside section, this can beformed all the way round along a closed path referred to a referenceaxis orthogonal to the plane of extension of the lid film.

In some cases it may be sufficient if the plug section consists only ofthe outside section, i.e. the plug section is formed from a ring orhollow cylinder and the like standing proud at an angle from the lidfilm. The external shape of the outside section, i.e. the shape of theoutside surface, is shaped corresponding to the contour of the radiallyinner edge of the packaging opening so as to achieve as tight apackaging as possible in the reclosed packaging state. This means thatthe outside surface on the outside section can have a circular,elliptical or polygonal cross-section, or combinations thereof.

To accommodate materials that first of all are to be provided separatelyfrom the contents of the reclosable packaging according to theinvention, it may be envisaged that a wall section of the plug sectionlying radially within the outside section referred to the aforementionedreference axis together with the outside section and the lid filmenclose a storage space.

This storage space can according to a preferred development of thepresent invention be utilised so as to accommodate so-called scavengermaterials, which are intended to absorb or bind gases, such as forexample oxygen and/or ethylene, and/or liquids, such as for examplewater, in order to protect the actual contents of the packagingaccording to the invention for as long as possible against undesirableexternal influences due to the substances to be absorbed and/or bound.

For a particularly permanent and secure connection of the lid film tothe plug section, it may also be envisaged that a wall section of theplug section lying radially within the outside section with reference tothe reference axis, is connected, preferably irremovably, to the lidfilm. Preferably for this purpose the wall section runs at least insections parallel to the lid film.

Also it may be desirable in certain circumstances to make the contentsof the aforedescribed storage space accessible to users. For thispurpose it may be envisaged that the wall section is formed by a coverfilm preferably detachably connected, preferably by sealing, to the endregion of the outside section lying remote from the lid film.

To ensure the best possible reclosability of the packaging according tothe invention, it may be envisaged that the outside section comprises atleast along a circumferential section, preferably running all the wayround, a catch protrusion that projects radially outwardly referred tothe reference axis.

So that the plug section can nevertheless be inserted without too muchdifficulty into the packaging opening, the reclosable packagingdescribed here can furthermore be formed in such a way that the catchprotrusion comprises an insertion bevel inclined with respect to theopening surface of the packaging opening, which facilitates an insertionof the plug section into the packaging opening so as to produce thereclosed packaging state.

In order either to make the contents of the storage space accessiblealready before an opening of the packaging, or simply to be able toutilise the plug section, in particular its outside section, as astacking aid when stacking a plurality of the same kind of reclosablepackagings according to the invention, the packaging can according to apreferred embodiment be modified so that the outside section in theinitially closed packaging state projects from the lid film in thedirection away from the packaging interior, and is preferablyirremovably connected to a side of the lid film that in the initiallyclosed state points away from the packaging interior.

Preferably for reasons of cost the whole packaging body is formed offilm laminate. In this connection cylindrical packaging bodies inparticular have proved suitable as dimensionally stable packaging bodiesthat can be constructed with simple means from dimensionally unstablefilms.

It should be added that the packaging according to the invention canaccording to an advantageous modification to facilitate the firstopening, be formed so that the lid film comprises a tear-off tab astear-off aid that preferably projects beyond an outer edge of thepackaging, so that it can be gripped more easily by a user.

Also, to facilitate the stackability of the packaging it may beenvisaged that the lid film in the initially closed packaging state issubstantially flat. To this end, in particular the plug section isarranged sufficiently sunk in the packaging opening and/or is formedfrom a sufficiently thin film laminate so that it cannot be seen orscarcely so on the lid film, even if it is already arranged in theinitially closed packaging state.

The present invention is described hereinafter in more detail with theaid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a closure region of a firstembodiment of a reclosable packaging according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a closure region of a secondembodiment of a reclosable packaging according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the film laminate employed in thepackagings of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 1 an embodiment of a reclosable packaging according to theinvention is generally identified by the reference numeral 10. Thepackaging 10, of which simply the closure section is illustrated, isrotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation Z. Thecross-sectional plane of the illustration of FIG. 1 contains the axis ofrotation Z.

The packaging 10 comprises a cylindrical packaging body 12 of apackaging body film 13, onto one axial longitudinal end 12 a of which anedge component 14 is permanently sealed on the inside 12 b.

The edge component 14 formed from an edge component film 15, which isproduced from the same film material as the packaging body 12, is in afirst edge component section 14 a permanently sealed with its outside 14b to the inside 12 b of the packaging body 12 substantially over thewhole common axial and radial extension length. Alternatively thisconnection could also be formed by bonding instead of thermal sealing.

A second edge component section 14 c joined in the radial direction tothe first edge component section projects orthogonally from thecylindrical packaging body 12 radially inwardly, i.e. towards the axisof rotation Z.

The edge component 14 is formed from an originally substantially flatannular film piece, which extends in the radial direction over the jointlength of the first edge component section 14 b and second edgecomponent section 14 c. When the edge component is inserted into thecylindrical inner surface 12 b of the packaging body 12 the first edgecomponent section 14 a is thus necessarily deformed into the positionillustrated in FIG. 1.

A radial inner edge 14 d of the edge component 14 defines in theundeformed state a packaging opening 16, through which the interior 18of the packaging 10 is accessible from outside.

The packaging 10 is shown in FIG. 10 in its initially closed state, i.e.it is in the state in which it leaves the filling unit of a packer to bedespatched to the consumer.

In this initially closed state the packaging opening 16 (the position ofthe radially inner edge 14 d of the edge component 14 with undeformedsecond edge component section 14 c is indicated by dotted lines inFIG. 1) is closed by a lid 20. A dimensionally stable plug section 20 aof the lid 20 penetrates the packaging opening 16 and, under materialelastic deformation of the second edge component section 14 c, abutsagainst the edge 14 d of the edge component section 14.

Already due to this material elastic deformation and the resultantfriction, the lid 20 is held securely on the edge component 14. Theclamping of the lid 20 to the second edge component section 14 cproduced by the material elastic deformation ensures that the packaging10 can be reclosed after the first opening.

The plug section 20 a furthermore comprises a radially outwardlyprojecting and surrounding connecting section 20 b. This connectionsection 20 b runs substantially parallel to the extension plane of thesecond radial component section 14 c.

A lid film 22 is irremovably sealed to the side 20 c of the connectingsection 20 b facing towards the edge component. The joining of the lidfilm 22 to the connecting section 20 b of the plug section 20 acorresponds as regards its strength substantially to the joining of thefirst edge component section 14 a to the longitudinal end 12 a of thepackaging body 12.

The lid film 22 is made of the same film material as the packaging body12 and the edge component 14 of the illustrated embodiment. The lid film22, which enclosably surrounds the plug section 20 a of the lid 20, isarranged over almost the whole circumference of the lid 20 underneaththe connecting section 20 b. The lid film 22 comprises an opening tab 22a simply at the position indicated in FIG. 1, which can be gripped bythe fingers and used to detach the connecting section 20 b from thesecond edge component section 14 c.

The lid film 22 is detachably, more specifically peelably, sealed withits side 22 b facing away from the connecting section 20 b, to theoutwardly facing side 14 e of the edge component 14. The region of thelid film 22 abutting and peelably sealed to the edge component film 15defines its joining section 22 d.

The lid film 22 is however, as already mentioned above, irremovablyconnected by its opposite outer side 22 c by thermal orultrasound-initiated sealing to the surface 20 c of the connectingsection 20 b.

To open for the first time the packaging 10 hermetically closed by thedetachable sealing of the edge component 14 to the lid film 22 and bythe irremovable sealing of the lid film 22 to the lid 20, the lid filmtab 22 a is firmly gripped between two fingers and pulled axially awayfrom the packaging body 12. In this way the lid film 22 is peeled fromthe edge component 14 and the plug section 20 a is pulled out of thepackaging opening 16.

When it is desired to reclose the packaging 10 the plug section 20 a canbe pressed into the packaging opening under deformation of the region ofthe edge component 14 adjacent to the edge 14 d, and thereby close theopening.

The plug section 20 a is then held on the packaging by the materialelastic deformation of the edge component 14 and the friction therebygenerated between the edge component 14 and the plug section 20 a.

Due to the irremovable connection of the first edge component section 14a to the axial longitudinal end region 12 a of the packaging body 12,the axial longitudinal end of the packaging 10 containing thelongitudinal end region 12 a is considerably stiffened, so that theregion of the packaging 10 adjacent to the packaging opening 16substantially retains its shape during an opening procedure as well asin the opened state.

In order to protect the lid 20 against undesired action of forces andthus undesired opening, say for example when the packaging 10 is beingtransported, the longitudinal end region 12 a of the packaging body andalso the first edge component section 14 a in the closed state of thepackaging 10 project outwardly in the axial direction beyond the lid 20.

The plug section 20 a comprises an outside section 20 f extendingsubstantially parallel to the axis of rotation Z. This outside section20 f joins directly onto the connecting section 20 b of the plug section20 a.

On the radial external section of the outside section 20 f there isshown in dotted lines a radial protrusion 34 of the outside section 20 fsurrounding the axis of rotation Z, which is formed so as to engagebehind the radially inner edge 14 d of the edge component 14 in themanner of a catch. In order to facilitate an insertion of the plugsection 20 a into the interior 18 of the packaging through the packagingopening 16, an insertion bevel 34 a is formed on the radial protrusion34, which likewise surrounds the axis of rotation Z. This insertionbevel 34 a continues radially inwardly as far as the region of thematerial section 20 f.

The plug section 20 a can, as is otherwise shown by the continuous line,be formed in the shape of a cup, with a wall section 20 g substantiallyparallel to the plane of the packaging opening 16, the wall sectionadjoining the end of the outside section 20 f remote from the lid film22.

Alternatively the outside section 20 f can also be formed in the shapeof a bulb according to the dotted line contour identified as 20 f. Inthis case the outside section 20 f′ has a U-shaped cross-section seen ina cross-sectional view containing the axis of rotation Z, the radiallyinner wall section 20 g′ being situated approximately at the level ofthe connecting section 20 b.

The wall section 20 g or 20 g′, respectively, fills the whole region ofthe plug section 20 a lying radially within the outside section 20 f or20 f, respectively, which thereby enables the packaging opening 16 to betightly closed.

The packaging illustrated in FIG. 1 has however a disadvantage in thatthe region of the packaging 10 closed exclusively by the plug section 20a does not ensure sufficient barrier properties, since the plug section20 a is simply an injection-moulded component formed from thermoplasticmaterial. Depending on the packaging contents, improved barrierproperties or a packaging having absolute barrier properties may howeverbe desired.

The same is also true if the packaging is to be printed or is to be atleast printable substantially without gaps, but in any case also in thelid region.

In order to obviate these disadvantages there is proposed theparticularly preferred second embodiment of a packaging according to theinvention illustrated in FIG. 2.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, in which identical or functionallyidentical components to those in FIG. 1 are provided with the samereference numerals but increased in each case by the number 100, is nowdescribed hereinafter only insofar as it differs from the firstembodiment shown in FIG. 1, to the description of which reference isspecifically made.

In the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 the plug section 120 a isintroduced in a substantially identical manner to the plug section 20 aof the first embodiment into the packaging opening 116 and is heldthere, both in the initial packaging state and in the reclosed packagingstate, by the deformed edge component 114, more specifically by an edgecomponent film 115 expanded against its material elasticity.

However, in FIG. 2 the lid film 122 spans the plug section 120 a of thelid 120.

The lid film 122 is for this purpose sealed irremovably to the side 120e of the connecting section 120 b of the lid 120 with its side 122 b,with which it is peelably sealed to the side 114 e of the edge component114 formed by the edge component film 115.

The different strengths of the connections of the lid film 122 to theedge component 114 on the one hand and to the plug section 120 a on theother hand can be adjusted by a different temperature and/or sealingpressure and/or sealing time, wherein it is found that the connectionstrength increases with increasing sealing temperature and/or increasingsealing pressure and/or increasing sealing time.

Apart from the tab 122 a the lid film 122, like the connecting section120 b to which it is sealed, is substantially circular, but has a largerdiameter than the plug section 120 a and the connecting section 120 b,respectively, so that the lid film 122 together with its joining section122 d radially outwardly completely surrounds the plug section 120 a. Inthis way the plug section 120 a is completely enclosed by the filmstructure consisting of packaging body film 113, edge component film 115and lid film 122.

The packaging 110 is thus extremely well protected against undesiredopening by accidental withdrawal of the plug section 120 a.

Furthermore, in the preferred case of a packaging 110 formed exclusivelyof the aforementioned films, a complete packaging, i.e. one that can beprinted on all sides, can be obtained.

Likewise a packaging completely provided, i.e. on all sides, withbarrier properties can also be achieved.

The contents packaged by the packaging 110 are thereby protected in thebest possible way against external influences.

As is shown in FIG. 2 by the double-dotted line the outside section 120f can, owing to the fact that the plug section 120 a is completelyspanned by the lid film 122, simply be formed as an annular hollowcylindrical outside section 120 r, which in a cross-section containingthe axis of rotation Z has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape on accountof the presence of the connecting section 120 b. If the connectingsection 120 b does not project radially outwardly or inwardly from theoutside section 120 f′, the outside section 120 r can in the illustratedcross-sectional view simply have a rectangular or parallelogram-shapedcross-section.

For a particularly reliable connection of the lid film 122 to the plugsection 120 a, in the aforedescribed variant of the outside section 120f′ with a substantially U-shaped cross-section the radially inwardlyadjoining wall section 120 g′ can be joined in sections or completelydetachably or irremovably to the lid film 122, particularly preferablyby sealing.

Owing to the fact that the lid film 122 spans the plug section 120 a, ifthe plug section as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is not formedmassively, a storage space 130 is enclosed by the plug section 120 atogether with lid film 122, in which materials can be accommodated.These may in particular be so-called scavenger materials, which serve toabsorb or bind undesirable gases and/or liquids contained in theinterior 118 of the packaging 110.

Alternatively or in addition it may also be envisaged to make thestorage space 130 accessible to users of the packaging 110. For thispurpose, especially if the outside section 120 r of the plug section 120a is simply formed as a ring projecting from the lid film 122, the wallsection 120 g″ adjoining the outside section 120 f″ can be formed as aplug section film 132 substantially parallel to the lid film 122,spanning the plug section 122 a at its end remote from the lid film 122.The plug section film 132 can in particular be sealed detachably to theoutside section 120 f″ or generally to the plug section 120 a, inparticular peelably sealed.

The plug section film 132 is preferably identical to at least one, morepreferably to all the aforementioned films, so that just one single filmmaterial has to be used to form the packaging according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows in cross-section the structure of the film that is used toform the packaging body films 13 and 113, the edge component films 15and 115 as well as the lid films 22 and 122.

The film laminate that is used comprises as an outer layer a layer 30 ofdetachable (peelable) sealable thermoplastic material, in theillustrated embodiment of oriented polypropylene (OPP) with a layerthickness of about 30 μm.

A printable layer 32, i.e. one that can take printing ink, adjoins theouter layer 30. In the illustrated example this printable layer isformed by a layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a layerthickness of about 12 μm.

A barrier layer 34 adjoins the side of the PET layer 32 facing away fromthe OPP layer 30. In the illustrated example this is an aluminium layerof about 8 μm layer thickness.

Finally, a layer of irremovably sealable thermoplastic material adjoins,as second outer layer 36, the side of the aluminium layer 34 facing awayfrom the PET layer 32. In the illustrated example the second outer layer36 is formed by polypropylene (PP) with a layer thickness of about 70μm.

The advantage of this laminate structure lies also in the fact that inthe packaging 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, outer layers 36 or 32, which aresealable for the same purpose, of films to be connected to one another,always abut to each other, and at the same time the layer 32 receivingprinting ink lies further outwardly than the barrier layer 34, so thatthe layer 32 receiving printing ink always remains perceptible and isnot covered by the barrier layer 34.

The first edge component section 14 a and the packaging body 12 areirremovably connected to one another via the outer layers 36 of theinvolved films.

The second edge component section 14 and the lid film 22 are peelablyconnected to one another via adjoining outer layers 30 of the involvedfilms 15 and 22.

The plug section 20 a, which for this purpose is also formed ofpolypropylene, is in turn irremovably connected to this via the outerlayer 36 of the lid film 22.

Up to the connection of the plug section 20 a to the lid film 22, thesame details apply to the example illustrated in FIG. 2. There simplythe outer layer 34 formed from oriented polypropylene is irremovablyconnected to the connecting section 120 b of the plug section 120 a,which however presents no problems due to the identical choice ofmaterial (polypropylene) for this outer layer and the plug section 120a.

In the illustrated examples the packaging opening 16; 116 in theunclosed state of the packaging 10; 110, i.e. with the undeformed secondedge component section 14 c; 114, has a smaller diameter than the plugsection 20 a; 120 a of the lid 20; 120 that can be inserted into thepackaging opening 16; 116. When the plug section 20 a; 120 a is pressedinto the packaging opening 16; 116 the section therefore expands againstthe material elasticity of the second edge component section 14 c; 114c. The edge 14 d; 114 d of the edge component 14; 114 abuts against theplug section 20 a; 120 a of the lid 20; 120 as a result of the materialproperties, with an elastic force produced by this expansion and thethereby caused additional friction, and holds the section detachably inthe closure position.

1. Reclosable packaging, with a packaging body (12; 112), with an edgecomponent (14; 114) surrounding a packaging opening (16; 116) and whichis irremovably connected to the packaging body (12; 112), and also witha lid (20; 120) which is held on the edge component (14; 114) and closesthe packaging opening (16; 116), wherein the packaging body (12; 112) issubstantially formed by a flexible packaging body film (13; 113) atleast in one section (12 a; 112 a) accommodating the edge component (14;114), wherein the lid (20; 120) is connected to the edge component (14;114) by means of a first detachable connection in the form of anadhesive bond or seal in the initially closed packaging state, and in areclosed packaging state after a first opening is connected to the edgecomponent (14; 114) by means of a second detachable and restorableconnection formed separately from the first connection, characterised inthat the lid (20; 120) comprises a plug section (20 a; 120 a) thatpenetrates the packaging opening (16; 116) in the reclosed packagingstate and a flexible lid film (22; 122) irremovably connected to theplug section (20 a; 120 a), a joining section (22 d; 122 d) of theflexible lid film being connected to the edge component (14; 114) withthe formation of the first detachable connection in the initially closedpackaging state, and the plug section (20 a; 120 a) forms the seconddetachable connection with the edge component (14; 114) in the reclosedpackaging state.
 2. Reclosable packaging according to claim 1,characterised in that the edge component (14; 114) is formed of aflexible edge component film (15; 115), which is irremovably connectedto the packaging body film (13; 113) in the region of the packagingopening (16; 116).
 3. Reclosable packaging according to claim 1,characterised in that the edge component (14; 114) comprises a firstedge component section (14 a; 114 a), which is irremovably connected tothe packaging body film (13; 113), and comprises a second edge componentsection (14 c; 114 c), which is connected to the packaging body film(13; 113) only over the first edge component section (14 a; 114 a) andpreferably stands proud of this.
 4. Reclosable packaging according toclaim 2, characterised in that the joining section (22 d; 122 d) in theinitially closed packaging (10; 110) is detachably, preferably peelably,particularly preferably connected by sealing, to a section of the edgecomponent film (15; 115), preferably in the region of the second edgecomponent section (14 c; 114 c).
 5. Reclosable packaging according toclaim 3, characterised in that a packaging body section (12 a; 112 a)connected to the first edge component section (14 a; 114 a) projects inthe initially closed packaging outwardly beyond a lid sectionlocated—viewed from the interior (18; 118) of the packaging—outside theedge component (14; 114).
 6. Reclosable packaging according to claim 2,characterised in that at least one film from the packaging body film(13; 113), the lid film (22; 122) and optionally the edge component film(15; 115) is a laminate of at least two film layers (30, 32, 34, 36),one of which layers forms a barrier layer (34) and is preferably a metallayer, particularly preferably an aluminium layer.
 7. Reclosablepackaging according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one filmfrom the packaging body film (13; 113), the lid film (22; 122) andoptionally the edge component film (15; 115) is a laminate of at leasttwo film layers (30, 32, 34, 36), of which at least one outer layer(30), preferably both outer layers, are formed by a sealablethermoplastic material.
 8. Reclosable packaging according to claim 2,characterised in that at least one film from the packaging body film(13; 113), the lid film (22, 122) and optionally the edge component film(15; 115) is a laminate of at least two film layers (30, 32, 34, 36), ofwhich at least one layer (32) is capable of receiving printing inks. 9.Reclosable packaging according to claim 2, characterised in that thepackaging body film (13; 113) and the edge component film (15; 115)comprise as film laminates substantially identical layers (30, 32, 34,36), which preferably have the same layer structure and particularlypreferably are substantially identical.
 10. Reclosable packagingaccording to to claim 6, characterised in that the edge component film(15; 115) and the lid film (22; 122) comprise as film laminatessubstantially identical layers (30, 32, 34, 36), preferably have thesame layer structure, and particularly preferably are substantiallyidentical.
 11. Reclosable packaging according to claim 1, characterisedin that the lid film (22; 122) spans the plug section (20 a; 120 a). 12.Reclosable packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the lidfilm (22; 122) in its extension plane has in at least one spatialdirection, preferably in two mutually orthogonal spatial directions, alarger dimension than the plug section (20 a; 120 a).
 13. Reclosablepackaging according to claim 12, characterised in that the plug section(20 a; 120 a) extends along a longitudinal axis (Z) and the lid film(22; 122) radially outwardly surrounds the plug section (20 a; 120 a)referred to the longitudinal axis (Z).
 14. Reclosable packagingaccording to claim 1, characterised in that the plug section (20 a; 120a) in the reclosed packaging state, optionally also in the initiallyclosed packaging state, abuts a radially inner edge of the edgecomponent (14; 114).
 15. Reclosable packaging according to claim 14,characterised in that the plug section (20 a; 120 a), in the reclosedpackaging state, optionally also in the initially closed packagingstate, is held by a material elastic clamping by the edge component (14;114).
 16. Reclosable packaging according to claim 15, characterised inthat the edge component (14; 114) forms an edge (14 d; 114 d) of thepackaging opening (16; 116), the dimensions of the plug section (20 a;120 a) being larger than the associated dimensions of the packagingopening (16; 116) defined by the edge component (14; 114). 17.Reclosable packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that theplug section (20 a; 120 a) comprises an outside section (20 f; 120 f)projecting, in particular orthogonally projecting, from the lid film(22; 122).
 18. Reclosable packaging according to claim 17, characterisedin that the outside section (20 f; 120 f) surrounds, in particular in anenclosed manner, a reference axis (Z) substantially orthogonal to theextension plane of the lid film (22; 122).
 19. Reclosable packagingaccording to claim 18, characterised in that a wall section (120 g) ofthe plug section (120 a) lying radially within the outside section (120a) referred to the reference axis (Z) encloses together with the outsidesection (120 f) and the lid film (122) a storage space (130). 20.Reclosable packaging according to claim 19, characterised in that aso-called scavenger material is accommodated in the storage space (130),in particular to bind gases, especially oxygen and/or ethylene, to bindmoisture and/or to absorb predetermined substances.
 21. Reclosablepackaging according to claim 18, characterised in that a wall section(120 g′) of the plug section (120 a) lying radially within the outsidesection with reference to the reference axis (Z), is connected,preferably irremovably, to the lid film (122).
 22. Reclosable packagingaccording to claim 18, characterised in that the wall section (120 g″)is formed by a cover film (132) connected preferably by sealing,preferably detachably, to the end region of the outside section (120 r)lying remote from the lid film (122).
 23. Reclosable packaging accordingto claim 18, characterised in that the outside section (20 f; 120 f)comprises at least along a circumferential section, preferably all theway round, a catch protrusion (34; 134) projecting radially outwardsreferred to the reference axis (Z).
 24. Reclosable packaging accordingto claim 23, characterised in that the catch protrusion comprises aninsertion bevel (34 a; 134 a) inclined with reference to the openingsurface of the packaging opening (16; 116), which bevel facilitates aninsertion of the plug section (20 a; 120 a) into the packaging opening(16; 116) to produce the reclosed packaging state.
 25. Reclosablepackaging according to claim 17, characterised in that the outsidesection (20 f; 120 f) in the initially closed packaging state projectsaway from the lid film (22; 122) in the direction from the packaginginterior (18; 118), and is preferably irremovably connected to a side(22 c; 122 c) of the lid film (22; 122) that in the initially closedstate faces away from the packaging interior (18; 118).
 26. Reclosablepackaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the plug section(20 a; 120 a) is formed at least in sections, preferably completely,from a flexible plug section film.
 27. Reclosable packaging according toclaim 26, characterised in that the plug section film is a film laminateof at least two film layers (30, 32, 34, 36), which comprises the samelayers, preferably the same layer structure, as the packaging body filmand/or the edge component film and/or the lid film, and particularlypreferably is substantially identical to at least one of theaforementioned films.
 28. Reclosable packaging according to claim 1,characterised in that the lid film (22; 122) comprises a tear-off tab(22 a; 122 a) as tear-off aid, which preferably projects beyond an outeredge (at 12 a; at 112 a) of the packaging in order to facilitate itshandling by a user.
 29. Reclosable packaging according to claim 1,characterised in that the lid film (22; 122) in the initially closedpackaging state is substantially flat.